The Russellville Democrat., 1887-05-18

O clock and here we uisemDarkch auu
entered the Monticello" one OF the
splendid sleeping cars Of the L. d N
line, furnished expressly Tor our use
by Mr.. Hughes, Pullman palace car
division superintendent. Soon we
were speeding away at rapid rate
over one Of the best railroads in the
country. By this time most OF our
party having embraced Morpheus,
were oblivious to their surroundings.
Awaking Sunday morning we were
in Kentucky nearing Guthris where
we breakfasted. Arriving at Glas.
gov junction at /: 80 we we're soon
aboard the short line just completed,
vending our way up hill and down,
around this curve and that, until,
having covered ten miles, we are
brought face to face with our desti-
nation. Here we meet our first dis
appointment. Instead of ::s,ns.ssiTn
hotel, we find an old style two story
bouss, with long row of weather
boarded log cabins, lengthy veran-
dshs, low ceilings and small WIN.
dows, not very inviting from with
out to be sure, but the cheer within
was quite comforting to our travel
stained and hungry tourists. After
sundry ablutions, within and with
out, we charged the dining hall and
did such fearful execution that the
name Of Arkansas will be familiar to
the walters who served us the bal
ance OF their natural lives. Dinner
over, . short rest, snooze, . smoke,
and on to the cave. Our guide APP
pears with lamps we'll filed and ey-
cry gentleman must carry one. The
line is formed, the gentlemen sport
ing skull caps and slender canes. the
ladies in bloomer costumes, evident
ly made without respect to the prob
able wearer, but picturesque withal.
The guide leads the way through
the garden gate, down declivity to
the caves yawning mouth. Here
we meet q cold wave that chills US
through and through and almost per-
suades US to 60 no farther. We take
courage and proceed through dark
tunncl-like dungeon some eighty
yards, here We meet with obstruc-
ton, it proves to be gate, the guide
unlccks it and We step into the cave
proper. A feeling of awe takes pos
session of US. We press together
and follow the guide. He points out
the objects OF interest and describes
them, the Giants Coffin, the Bottom
less Pit, Star Chamber, Methodist
Church, Bridal Altar, Statue of Mar
tina Washington, Gothic Galleries,
Lovers Leap, Valley Of Flowers,
Arm Chair, Napoleon's Dome, Grand
Crossing, Standing Rock. Sym's Pit,
Reveler's Hall, River OF Styx, the
Dead Sea, Echo river, and many 9TH
ers. To see these We traversed dis
lance of seven miles, over precipices,
across yawning chasms, through mar.
row, crooked passages, up and down
slippery footways, up steep ladders,
until worn out we were quite salts
fed to leave the remaining lao miles
OF cavern UNEMPLOYED. and return to
the hotel, weary and foot sore, but
amply repaid for the toll endured.
At noon Monday the home. COM
ing was entered upon with zest.
Aboard the cars the return trip was
enlivened by comparing notes, speci-
meme, souvenirs and relating choice
bits Of underground incidents.
Monday night the members were
called to order for the purpose Of
resoluting. Mr.. Arthur Murray,
presided. Upon motion OF Mr.. r. w.
Leigh Messrs. j. L. Tullis, B. F. lobe
and ]. A. Langford were appointed
a committee, and they handed in the
following:
Resolved, That the Arkansas Press
Association return its grateful &C.
acknowledgements to Messrs. c. P. At
more, general ticket and passenger
agent, and j. I. Harahan, general
manager OF the Louisville and Nash
vile railroad; and Messrs. d. Mil
Ter, general passenger agent, and
Rudolph Fink, general manager OF
the Memphis and Little Rock rail
road, for delightful excursion over
their respective lines to the wonder.
full Mammoth Caves and return; to
5. l.. Finley, the pleasant and &C
commodating ticket agent Of L. d N.
railroad, for his kindness shown in
accompanying the excursion; TO Jas.
A. Hughes of Memphis. the division
superintendent OF the Pullman Pal
ace Car company, for his courtesy to
individual members Of the party to w.
o. COmstock. general ticket agent of |